By: Ashley McCubbin

TORONTO, Ontario — Prior to the first practice, Pato O’Ward was reminded of the rain in the forecast for this weekend at the Honda Indy Toronto and only five sets of tires being available for teams. His answer was simple, in saying, “That’s the reality we live in, incase of an all-wet weekend so we’ll just have to live with that.”

Thus far, he is doing a good job dealing with the conditions being given, as despite the track being wet for Saturday’s qualifying session, he was able to put down a lap to place third on the grid for Sunday’s race. Now weather could be factor there as well, with the current forecast showing a 75% chance of rain during the day.

Although he only finished 11th after pacing three laps last year in Toronto, the speed should not be a surprise on the street courses. He opened the season with a runner-up at St. Petersburg, and ran up front at both Long Beach and in Detroit, before a spin and contact with the wall respectively took him out of contention.

“We would’ve all been challenging for the podium if it wasn’t for me ending up with a wall,” O’Ward said in referencing Detroit. “So the performance has been there. The results haven’t – only one of them. But I think as a team, we’re in a position to capitalize on good results for all of us – not just one of us.”

Currently ranked fifth in points, O’Ward finds himself just 17 points behind Scott Dixon for second as it appears Alex Palou is trying to run away with the championship. However, it could become a big weekend to gain points in knowing the points leader will start 15th.

“If something weird is going to happen, it’s going to happen here in the championship. It’s still up for grabs for everybody,” O’Ward commented. “Obviously, Alex has the best possibility and the biggest advantage, but all it takes is one or two bad races and whoever is able to win both of them and he’s going to be sweating.”